Peace Rather Than War: 2 Samuel 2:4-7
While conflict is sometimes inevitable, solving our problems peacefully is always the safer course of action. Not everyone wants to resolve a situation peacefully, but everyone deserves the opportunity to do so. We have police, prisons, and military strength because there are people in our world who force violence. Society works best, though, when people resolve their differences respectfully.
When David hears about the valiant act of the men from Jabesh-gilead, who crossed into Philistine territory to steal the body of Saul from the Philistines, he honors them. He sends messengers to bless them. David wants them to feel supported and appreciated, especially since they put their lives in danger doing it.
David knows the loyalty the people of Jabesh-gilead have for Saul. Exception for Saul’s own tribe of Benjamin, David knows the population of Jabesh-gilead will be one of the harder groups to win to his side. David sends messengers to Jabesh-gilead to ease tension. David wants them to know their loyalty to Saul does not have to put them at odds with him.
It would be natural for the people of Jabesh-gilead to see David as a threat. Saul, when he was alive, pursued David on multiple occasions. There is no telling how much support Saul received from the people of Jabesh-gilead in his pursuit of David. Those who were closest to Saul would find it easy to think David would see them as enemies. David wants to smooth over any tension before it can either fester or erupt into chaos.
David’s approach to taking over the kingdom is quite unique. Instead of putting on a show of force, David tries to win Saul’s supporters win kindness. David had the proper military understanding to win a campaign and take over the nation by force. He could have mounted a force against Saul’s supporters before they had time to reorganize. He doesn’t take that approach, however.
A display of might may subdue an enemy, but such a display also solidifies opposition. Had David marched out against Saul’s supporters, even had he won, Saul’s supporters would have resented the situation and made their anger burn even hotter against David. Instead, David offers an opportunity to consolidate strength. David wants Saul’s supporters to understand their need not be hardship between them. David wants Saul’s supporters to know they have a place within his power structure. It doesn’t need to come to angry terms.
David is trying to be generous, and he is certainly being forgiving. David is demonstrating the love of God by offering peace when wrath is expected. He is also being wise in trying to save as many people as he can, knowing the true threat of the Philistines and other Canaanites will be harder to manage if an internal civil war deteriorates their strength. While conflict is sometimes inevitable, solving our problems peacefully is always the safer course of action.
